Posts by Robin Lopez2

placidheron7 said:Thank god... finally someone else who isn't screaming that pills are the only way to fix cause and effect. 🙏

When it comes to psychosis, there is only one solution: medication (antipsychotics)!!!

David Vaughn75 said:Screw the past, man. We’re living here in the US right now, in the here and now, so we gotta focus on what's coming next and how we actually move forward.

That’s easy to say. I know exactly what my flaws are, and every night I tell myself things have to change. But then I wake up the next morning feeling like I'm under some kind of spell, falling right back into the same old patterns.

My private therapist mentioned to me that while many people have a genetic predisposition toward schizophrenia, they never actually develop it because they live relatively stable, comfortable lives.

What's your take on that?

David Vaughn75 said:Look, some people take their meds and actually manage to pull themselves together to live a normal life, while others just sink deeper into the pit and go totally south, even when they're being strictly compliant with the prescription.

Pills handle the symptoms—it’s like if you’re bleeding out and you need to stop the flow—but you still have to address the actual root cause driving the psychosis in the first place.

Does anyone actually know what that factor is?

Noah Garcia4 said:I actually did break free from that mindset, though I’ll admit I lingered there for a while longer; believe it or not, if you read my previous posts, you'll see the evidence. In fact, I had already started drifting away from those suicidal thoughts way back before summer started. It turns out a little bit of intimacy can solve just about anything 🤣, though honestly, there's much more to it than that ☕
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On another note, I’ve realized I tend to be the ultimate conversation killer in this thread, but since I am technically the founder of this topic, I feel obligated to jump in and explain my recent absence 😁.

It seems like the guys have completely taken over the advisory role here; just a few posts ago, I was the one busy dropping links to relevant articles and trying to provide actual resources
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But why has this whole discussion devolved into a situation where family members reach out for help, only to have "seasoned veterans" immediately tell them to call 911 or the police 🤦 every single time someone asks a question?

Maybe the topic shifted because people living with schizophrenia are staying quiet about their struggles. Lately, we’ve seen here that this illness is truly a matter of life and death. No one is suggesting calling the cops as a first resort; rather, we suggest seeking professional psychiatric help. For us, nothing works except medication—psychotherapy and talking don't cut it.

The real question is whether this thread can actually help anyone. Can those of us dealing with this really speak openly about our burdens when, during a psychotic episode, nothing seems to matter because we feel like we own the universe?

Take you, for example. You left this discussion saying you were taking 1mg of Risperdal, that you landed a job, and that everything was great. Then you vanished for a long stretch, only to resurface now with the shocking news that you attempted suicide.

I was genuinely happy and proud of you for doing well and finding the right meds. I assumed your absence from the forum meant you simply had nothing left to report because life was finally good.

At the very least, check in once a week. Even just a single sentence or a happy or sad smiley face would suffice.

Nicole Barrett76 said:The bottom line is this: pills are simply not an effective way to go.

And here I was, actually foolish enough to think I could end it all with hydrocortisone tablets.

Jesus, don't think like that. You could just as easily argue that knitting isn't a good method either, considering someone over here actually hanged themselves with it for the third time!

It happened right here near me. Three people took their own lives using pills.

Edward White5 said:Maybe she’s just worried about me and my grandson. The world feels pretty heavy and unpredictable lately, so maybe she’s just spinning these stories because she’s retired and has way too much time on her hands... looking for any excuse to stir up drama and stay center stage?

What if she starts believing the granddaughter is some kind of spy and actually acts on it? Will there even be time to call a doctor then?

placidheron7 said:Nobody could ever talk me into believing I was sick during my first long-lasting psychotic episode. But once that moment hits—that first time you actually think to yourself, "Wait, maybe I *am* actually sick"—that’s when everything changes. Since then, I’ve been constantly practicing talking back to my own brain, trying to convince the rational side of me to stay in control. Honestly, once you have that realization, I truly believe it's possible to dial this illness way down and manage it incredibly well. If you're actually putting in the work on yourself, if you've got someone in your corner who will snap you out of it when you start spiraling, and if you can just walk away from the booze, the THC, and all that other junk... it works. Some people just need a reality check from a friend to ignore the irrational bullshit, some need a psychologist, and others need a heavy-duty psychotherapist to keep them on track. But you *can* handle this without meds if you get the right support and guidance. Life is total crap if you decide to look at it that way...
Chaos

Unless we're talking about psychosis, then maybe—otherwise, there's no chance at all.

When I asked my psychiatrist how long I'd be on these pills, he just told me: "Be grateful that good medications actually exist!" So, looks like I'll be taking antipsychotics until the day I die.

Laura Castillo6 said:I mean, living "well" probably means staying away from cigarettes, cutting back on booze, getting enough sunlight, and eating brain food.

But honestly, most of us are struggling one way or another. We started out as nothing, and now we're stuck on this country, which feels more like one giant mess. That’s just how I see it. I remember seeing someone on CNN once—a guy who was diagnosed with Parkinson's back when he was 30. He's 46 now. Now, I know my struggles aren't even in the same league as his, but the guy never once complained about being in hell. Maybe he—or most people—just hasn't realized what I have, or maybe I'm just a massive pessimist or a nihilist at heart.

So yeah, we're all dealing with some level of chaos. You just have to make peace with the fact that there's a "before" and an "after" to everything.

Man, I don't know much about specific medications. It seems like almost everyone is on multiple psychotropic drugs these days. So, if I'm understanding you right, you aren't actively in a psychotic break anymore, but you're still experiencing auditory hallucinations? It's possible that certain symptoms linger, or they might fade away after a long time, but the most important thing is that you're present, you're conscious, and you know what's happening. Definitely talk to your doctor about any side effects; try to find that balance where you can ask the right questions while still being able to actually live your life.

Honestly, you're never actually in trouble until the people around you tell you something is wrong. Back when I was going through my worst psychotic episode, I felt absolutely fantastic. I didn't see any issues at all. If it weren't for the people around me, I wouldn't even be on medication. For me, a deserted island would probably be the best way to live.

Laura Castillo6 said:I remember stumbling upon this comment about a year and a half ago, and back then, I didn't give it a second thought. It just kind of rolled off my radar. But fast forward eighteen months after making some massive shifts in my daily routine—everything from what I eat and how much sleep I get, to how I handle work, downtime, and even just treating myself once in a while—and I’ve realized how true it actually is. Living well really does act as a balm for almost any mental struggle, not to mention physical issues too. For me, it’s been all about prevention and keeping those old setbacks at bay.

But how do you actually live a quality life when everything is falling apart?

Kyle Rodriguez said:Thanks so much to everyone for all the replies! 🙂

I was wondering if you guys could share what actually worked best for you? Like, who helped, or maybe just what specific approach made a difference...

I feel like I've tried pretty much everything—constant talking, getting the whole family involved to try and reach her, making sure we spend as much quality time together as possible.

I even suggested seeing a private therapist, telling her we could just take my car so it stays low-key—you know, tell people I'm the one being driven to an appointment if anyone asks. Her dad tried his best too, but nothing seems to stick... her brother and sister have stepped up to help as well. Everyone is genuinely willing to pitch in, but she just won't listen to anyone.

Instead of building trust and seeing that we're just trying to help her find some peace of mind, it feels like we're constantly pushing against her... or rather, that’s how she sees it—like we're trying to lock her up in a mental hospital.
I have to admit, I'm starting to feel a little worn out by it all... since this has been going on for quite a while now.

When it comes to schizophrenia, there is really only one solution: medication.

Kyle Rodriguez said:Hey there!

I was wondering if anyone might be able to help me out—really, any kind of advice would be so appreciated right now.
Basically, I’m reaching out because of a family member—my mom—and she hasn't been doing well for quite some time. I just can't seem to find a way to get through to her.

At first, she went through this really deep depressive phase, which I guess was triggered by menopause. It was just work, home, work, home... except at home, she’d mostly just sleep and eat. She stopped communicating with anyone and didn't show any interest in talking to us. During that stretch, she put on quite a bit of weight. Back when I was away at college, I’d come home for the weekends only to find total chaos. That depressive state lasted a while, and even though I begged my dad to step up or asked my brothers to help, nothing really seemed to change.

After a while, I finished my degree and moved back home, and things finally seemed to be settling down—until, out of nowhere, her behavior took a complete turn. Suddenly, she was full of euphoria—going out constantly, shopping, meeting friends for coffee, being somewhere every single day. It was such a shock, going from someone who stayed in bed for days and barely cared about hygiene to someone who was never home.

Then came the point where she started attacking me over things that honestly made zero sense. It started with stories that might have had a grain of truth, but eventually, it turned into stuff that was completely disconnected from reality. Her friends all drifted away because she would overwhelm them with these nonsensical outbursts. Even the extended family—mostly her sister and brother—noticed that something was seriously wrong. This led to her either walking for miles with her MP3 player glued to her ears, or cooking dinner with the music blasting, or pacing the balcony, or even sleeping with the headphones on.

In her mind, she thinks everyone is watching her and talking about her—and I quote, "all over the US"—that people are posting shameful things about her online. She even woke up my little brother at 2:00 AM just to make him turn on his computer so she could hunt for what people were saying about her. If you actually ask her *who* is writing these things, she can't even give you an answer.

The whole situation is becoming unbearable for me. Every attempt I make to suggest seeing a doctor, or telling her she isn't okay and needs to talk to someone, just hits a brick wall. And it's not just me; no one in the immediate or extended family can get through. Every word I say gets twisted or misinterpreted by her.

Hoping I could somehow break this stalemate, I went to see a private psychologist and shared all the details. His take was that she was suffering from severe depression fueled by life dissatisfaction. A few months have passed since that visit, and recently, another private psychologist told me that this looks more like schizophrenic psychosis and that we need to get her medical help urgently.

Her condition comes in waves—one day she's fine, two days she's not, then maybe two good days, then a bad one, then maybe a week of being okay before sliding back again.

I should probably mention that my grandmother—her mother—has dealt with similar issues and has been on medication for years.

So, I'm really looking for some guidance. How do you reach someone who is in this kind of state? Any advice at all would mean the world. Thanks so much.

My therapist would call that a roller coaster. Get her some professional help!

Larry Lewis said:I must say, I find myself somewhat perplexed—truly at a loss, really—as to how you can possibly claim to be such a lightning bolt of intellect when you’ve been sitting in remission for seven years now. It’s a bit of a mathematical conundrum, isn't it? One would think that after seven years of quietude—seven long, dormant years!—that spark might have dimmed just a touch, much like those old neon signs you see flickering over some dusty roadside diner in Nebraska. But no, here you are, still insisting on this sudden burst of brilliance. It defies all logic.

So, I’m immature—fine. Let's just say that if being "mature" means conforming to every tedious, soul-crushing social expectation laid out by the powers that be, then I guess I’ve failed the test. Honestly? I'll take it. There is something profoundly exhausting about the constant pressure to act some kind of polished, buttoned-up version of oneself—you know, like those corporate drones over at Goldman Sachs who wouldn't know a spontaneous thought if it hit them in the face. I’ve spent far too many years trying to play the game, trying to fit into that rigid little box society builds for us, and frankly, it’s left me feeling more drained than a long-haul trucker on a cross-country run through the Mojave. If my refusal to grow up in the way they demand makes me "immature," then fine—call me what you want. I'd rather keep my wits and my sense of self than become another hollowed-out shell of a person just to satisfy some arbitrary standard of adulthood. It’s all quite ridiculous, really.

Most people out there seem to think we’re just a bunch of lunatics—completely unhinged, really—so I suppose, every once in a while, I find myself compelled to strike back.
Countering—well, that’s usually my territory, my own business entirely—but I suppose I can afford to step out of my lane and meddle just this once.

A genius is a genius, once and for all.😉

Larry Lewis said:I find myself staring at the screen—wondering if I should even bother engaging with this—but I truly cannot wrap my head around this whole mess regarding narcotics and schizophrenia. It’s all such a tangled, murky web—the way one seems to feed into the other, or perhaps just unmasks what was already lurking beneath the surface. Is it a direct trigger? A catalyst? Or is it simply that we’re looking at two different sides of the same tragic coin? I’ve spent far too many late nights reading through medical journals and listening to the endless, circular debates in various forums, and frankly, the more I learn, the less certain I feel about anything. It’s a dizzying cycle of cause and effect that feels more like a labyrinth than a science.

Psychosis... honestly, it’s a dark, messy business—not something I’d ever wish on my worst enemy—and thank Bill Gates for that.
I can't say I’m exactly enjoying the peace and quiet—it’s almost unsettling, really—but at least I am currently free from those psychotic thoughts. It’s a strange sort of emptiness—an absence of the usual mental chaos—that leaves me wondering if the silence is a blessing or merely the calm before some inevitable, much louder storm.

I find myself wondering—though perhaps I am simply too old and jaded for my own good—whether posts of this particular variety stem from a fundamental lack of maturity... or if there is some other, more complex psychological root at play here. It is a question that lingers, much like a bad cup of coffee from a roadside diner in Nebraska, refusing to leave one's mind.
Either it’s some sort of psychological break—which, frankly, I wouldn't put past them—but either way, I just can't stand it.

Greetings.👋

What do you mean you don't get it? You can be hit by both drugs and schizophrenia at once.

If being 56 makes me immature, fine. But regarding the psychosis, I've been in stable remission for about 7 years now.

Larry Lewis said:I honestly have no clue what you were even trying to get at there...🤷

Seriously, what kind of high are you chasing if you think having schizophrenia is a joke? 😉 Psychosis can actually feel quite pleasant if you just let your thoughts drift without fighting them.😁

Larry Lewis said:You hit the nail on the head there, my friend.

They blast this incredibly aggressive, bone-rattling music for American soldiers—just kids, really—right before they deploy into action... and honestly, I wouldn't be shocked one bit if they were handing out stimulants to give them that extra edge.

That is simply the kind of world we find ourselves inhabiting these days.

God help us!

Nothing hits harder than pure madness.😁

Casey Mitchell4 said:Let me clarify. She said she’d send some positive vibes or whatever, basically warning that if anyone dares to call her out, the consequences will be severe. Don't say I didn't warn you.👍

There aren't any actual consequences here, just plain old human stupidity. Siza is one thing, but the fallout is everywhere while we wait for the meds to kick in.

Don't go blaming Grandma for everything!

David Vaughn75 said:Honestly, taking multiple antipsychotics is pretty standard practice—especially with those doctors over at the state mental hospitals in rural areas.

Kada I was last hospitalized eight years ago, after being discharged, I stopped going back to the state facility and started seeing a private psychiatrist instead. When I showed him my discharge papers, he looked at me like I was crazy and asked who on earth had put me on that specific cocktail of meds. Now, I'm just on 1mg of Risperdal and I feel great. That's why I'm asking—what's the point of doubling up on antipsychotics? It's not like we're treating a bacterial infection where you need two different antibiotics to kill off the H. pylori.

Dr. Harold Anderson3, I don't quite get why you're on two different antipsychotics. Wouldn't it make more sense to talk to your psychiatrist about scaling back to the lowest effective dose—just one medication at an optimal level?

Mark Baker17 said:It happens all the time where psychiatrists can't even agree on a diagnosis, let alone a treatment plan. And for the record, it's definitely not true that 'APs' are only taken in the evening.

In my case, it is true. I take 1mg of Risperdal strictly at night. That’s been my routine ever since I started seeing a private psychiatrist. When I was seeing the head specialist at the hospital, he told me to take the single daily dose in the morning, but during my medical exam for my driver's license renewal, the doctor suggested it would be better if I took that one pill in the evening instead.